In Lesa Cline-Ransome's book Freedom's School, one day mama told Lizzie and her brother Paul that they “went
to sleep ‘slaves’ and woke up free”. Mama said that being free means you have
to work harder. “Real freedom means ‘rithmetic and writing.”

Lizzie was eager to learn but it was hard for her and Paul to
leave their mama and daddy working so hard in the crop fields. Getting to
school was not easy and sometimes they had rocks thrown at them. The first
school was burned down. Daddy remarked that “at least they got a little learnin”.
Lizzie and mama didn’t answer “Cause they knew that halfway to freedom feels
like no freedom”.

Well, Lizzie got her wish. One day mama woke them up and
said hurry up and get dressed and we’ll go check on Mizz Howard. They got there
to see men working on rebuilding the school and Mizz Howard was ready to start
lessons.

One of my favorite reads during the long winter was Sue Monk Kidd's The Invention of Wings, which follows the relationship between Hetty "Handful" Grimke, a Charleston slave, and Sarah, the Grimke daughter who is given ownership of Handful for her 11th birthday. Told in alternating points of view between the two, the book follows each girl's individual growth into adulthood as well as their ever-changing relationships with each other and with their families, all in the setting of the 19th century South. Both antislavery and women's rights movements play prominently in this fast-moving but captivating narrative that chronicles an important time (and an important figure) in our country's history.

It has been many years since I have read one of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s books but I have read several historical novels in the past few years about him and/or his wife, Zelda. The most recent one, West of Sunset by Stewart O’Nan, was published in January.

O’Nan focuses on the last three years of Fitzgerald’s life, 1937 – 1940, as he is trying to make it as a Hollywood screenwriter. These were troubled years; his literary success is well behind him, he was abusing drugs and alcohol, Zelda was in and out of a hospital being treated for mental health issues, his finances were in ruins, and the world was on the brink of World War II.

Although the focus is on Fitzgerald, there is also the romance of Hollywood and the movies, the relationship with Ernest Hemingway and movie stars of the times, and his affair with gossip columnist Sheilah Graham.

One reviewer referred to it as a “bittersweet portrait of the once-great novelist.” In the end it is almost heartbreaking to see Fitzgerald slip away.

This is a strong addition to the Fitzgerald historical fiction literature.

Imagine our water supply and how easy it is for us to go to any of our faucets at home and get clear, cool drinking water. We don’t even think about it. I was reminded of this ease or lack of it several months ago. I needed to have a new washing machine installed. Easy enough said the salesman, when it is delivered, they’ll just hook it right up. Nothing is ever that easy – the deliveryman was not able to install the washer and that evening as my husband was tinkering with it, I heard a gush of running water – never a good sound! As my husband ran to the basement to shut off the water I realized this meant no running water until we could schedule the plumber. No shower, No flushing the toilet, no making a pot of coffee, no drinking water – we were lucky and it was only for 1 day – but I really missed running water for that day. Reading A Thirst For Home made me realize how we much we expect to have water.

A Thirst For Home is the story of Alemitu and her mama who live in a small village in Ethiopia. They often walk all morning in the blazing sun to the watering hole. Her mother told her that the watering hole gives them something even more precious than gold! She said they could live a lifetime without gold but not a day without a drink of water. Water is life and it connects everyone and everywhere.

One day Alemitu’s mama takes her to a place where she will find out what is on the other side, but mama cannot go with her. Her mama cries like raindrops and Alemitu catches the tears in the scarf she gave her. Alemitu waits for mama to return. Many weeks later a lady comes and the nannies tell Alemitu that this woman is her new mama. The new mama speaks words she does not understand but stays with her until she falls asleep. Alemitu feels safe again.

Now her name is Eva – it means life. She has a new family with a sister, 2 brothers , a mom and a dad. Every morning when she wakes, she has a glass of cold, clean water. Eva drinks every drop. One night a rain storm makes raindrops bang on the roof and Eva crawls into bed between mom and dad. She feels safe.

In the morning she finds a large puddle outside and cups her hand to take a drink. In that moment Eva realizes she is on the other side of the watering hole. She sees her mama smiling down at her and she knows she is connected to both worlds.

Christine Leronimo wrote this powerful story after she found her newly adopted daughter drinking from a puddle in her family’s driveway. Eva’s story is truly thought provoking.

Here are some books that have caught my eye over the past two months as I read reviews to decide what to purchase for the library:

The Monopolists by Mary PilonWhen an economics professor, Ralph Anspach, in the 1970s invented an anti-monopoly game, he is threatened by Parker Brothers, which leads to a lawsuit and research into the origins of the game. Anspach uncovers that the game goes back to the early 1900s and that it was invented by a woman, not the traditional story of the inventor being an unemployed man during the Great Depression. The reviewer in Booklist states, “The book abounds with interesting tidbits for board-game buffs but treats its subject seriously. After reading The Monopolists part parable on the perils facing inventors, part legal odyssey, and part detective story you'll never look at spry Mr. Monopoly in the same way again.”

Whipping Boy: The Forty-Year Search for My Twelve-Year-Old Bullyby Allen KurzweilKurzweil was bullied while at a Swiss boarding school by a twelve year old native of Manila named Cesar Augustus; once being whipped to the soundtrack of Jesus Christ Superstar. Yes, truth is stranger than fiction. The reviewer in Library Journal wrote, “It moves like a thriller, is very funny, and in the right hands, would make a great movie.”

By Book or By Crookby Eva GatesFormer Harvard librarian, Lucy, finds her dream job in a lighthouse library on the Outer Banks of North Carolina and can’t believe her luck, until a priceless Jane Austen first edition is stolen and people start getting murdered. For some, I’m sure combining libraries and lighthouses in a mystery is like combining horses and mermaids in an adventure tale for my daughter. Can it get any better?

I always look forward to a new novel from Anne Tyler and put it on hold as soon as announced. Spool of Blue Thread, her 20th novel and published in early February, has received strong reviews. I agree.

Once again, the setting is Baltimore and the characters are an ordinary family. Like most families though, there are back stories, history, celebrations, family dynamics.

The overarching theme is the uncomfortable shift that occurs in families as the parents decline and the grown children and parents begin to exchange roles. The story follows three generations of the Whitshank family centering on the stately home which has become part of the family lore.

Tyler’s manner of storytelling and her insight into the ordinariness of family life always results in a satisfying read for me.

A Library Book For
Bear by Bonny Becker with illustrations by Kady MacDonald Denton is a
humorous picture book about a bear who had never been to the library.

One morning, Bear hears a tapping at his door. He sees the
bright-eyed face of his fervent friend
Mouse who is excited to take Bear to the library to show him around, and
because he thinks that it’s just a doggone fun place to visit. While previously
Bear did promise to accompany Mouse, today he thinks that this expedition will
be a complete waste of his very precious time. After all, he already owned a
grand total of seven books and believed that this private collection would more
than adequately cover his needs for the foreseeable future. But a promise is a
promise, so off they go.

Upon their arrival, a very grumpy Bear is once again quick
to criticize. In his estimation, the library building is much too big and contains
“far too many books”. All this, he declares, is nothing more than pure excess.

But enthusiastic Mouse persists with positives, pointing out
that the library is quite exciting and declares that he will find Bear a
perfect book about pickles, since pickles is the one topic that Bear seems to
find most intellectually stimulating. But no matter which title Mouse suggests,
Bear is dismissive of the selections and voices his displeasure in a very loud
and disruptive manner.

Before long, he is shushed into quiet by two mothers (one
squirrel, the other raccoon), whose youngsters are gathered around a smiling
librarian conducting story time. Bear is upset at being told to quiet down and
wants to leave the library pronto.

However, on his way to the exit, he overhears the librarian
read a story about a very brave bear and a treasure chest filled with very
special pickle slices. Oh my, Bear becomes entranced, and it is now he who
quickly tells Mouse to quiet down!

After story time, Bear checks out a number of new books
including one titled “The Very Brave Bear and the Treasure of Pickle Island”,
which Bear reads to Mouse back at his home that very same day.

Wonderfully expressive illustrations compliment this top
notch choice for young children, that gently promotes libraries and all that
they offer!

And it’s a great selection to celebrate “Read Across America
Day”, March 2nd, 2015.

Americanah, which refers to a person who returns to Nigeria after time abroad, is a 15-year saga centering on Ifemelu, who grew up in poverty in Lagos, but managed to come to the US. Culture shock, poverty, and racism leave her feeling as if she has “cement in her soul” and she defines herself as a “Non-American Black.”

This is a novel about leaving home behind, independence, integrity, not being sure where one “fits,” both in the US and back home in Nigeria.

Its inclusion on many “best of” lists for 2014 and significant media attention is well deserved. One reviewer considers it a “world-class novel.”

After seeing first-time novelist David Shafer’s Whiskey Tango Foxtrot on a few Best of 2014 lists, I finally found a gap in my ‘must read now’ list of books and picked it up last weekend. I’m happy to report that it deserves its place on those best of lists. The book is hard to pin down. It is part hyper-paranoid techno-thriller (think late William Gibson) and part smart literary fiction with a sarcastic bent (think Dave Eggers), but it certainly qualifies as a page-turner and I found it to be a fun read. At least as fun as up-to-the-minute plausible fiction about a looming shadow digital oligarchy can be.

Based on how the books are flying off our Library Reads display at the Central Library, we gather that this has become a trusted place to find some great books to read.

Librarians got the idea for the monthly Library Reads Top 10 list from independent booksellers who started putting together a monthly Top 20 list called Indie Next. Because of how much you love the Library Reads display, we decided to use another one of our display locations to feature books on the Indie Next list.

Check it out in the rotunda of the Central Library where you will find “inspired recommendations from independent booksellers.”